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Highlanders Lose To Chiefs
The Highlanders showed massive improvement against the Chiefs in Hamilton tonight, but the bounce of the ball and the rub of the green just didn't go the visitors way. The boys will be looking foward to the Reds next Friday night when it all come together!
Final Score Chiefs 19 (13) Highlanders 7 (7)
Scorers
Chiefs
Tries - T.Nanai-Williams
Pen - G Anscombe 4
Con - G Anscombe
Highlanders
Tries - A Smith
Con - C Slade
Cards - J.Hoeata (yellow 22nd min)
Match Officials
Referee: Jonathon White
Assistant Ref 1:Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2:Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri
TMO : Ben Skeen
Teams
Chiefs
1.Pauliasi Manu , 2.Hika Elliot , 3.Ben Tameifuna , 4.Michael Fitzgerald , 5.Brodie Retallick , 6.Liam Messam (c) , 7.Sam Cane , 8.Nick Crosswell , 9.Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 10.Aaron Cruden , 11.Asaeli Tikoirotuma , 12.Andrew Horrell , 13.Tim Nanai-Williams , 14.Lelia Masaga , 15.Gareth Anscombe
Replacements : 16.Rhys Marshall , 17.Ben Afeaki , 18.Romana Graham/Fritz Lee , 19.Tanerau Latimer , 20.August Pulu , 21.Charlie Ngatai , 22.Richard Kahui/Patrick Osborne
Highlanders
1. Ma'afu Fia, 2. Liam Coltman , 3. Chris King , 4. Brad Thorn (Captain) , 5. Josh Bekhuis , 6. Jarrad Hoeata , 7. John Hardie , 8. Elliot Dixon , 9. Aaron Smith , 10. Colin Slade , 11. Hosea Gear (Vice-captain) , 12. Ma'a Nonu , 13. Jason Emery , 14. Kade Poki , 15. Ben Smith
Replacements : 16. Jason Rutledge , 17. Bronson Murray , 18. Joe Wheeler , 19. Tim Boys , 20. Frae Wilson , 21. Lima Sopoaga , 22. Phil Burleigh
Highlanders Named To Play Chiefs
Highlanders’ stalwart Chris King will run out onto Waikato Stadium tomorrow night for his 100th Super Rugby
appearance – his 84th for the Highlanders.
King made his debut for the Highlanders in 2005 and will join a small and illustrious group of centurions, with
only Anton Oliver (127 games) and Jimmy Cowan (108 games) also to reach 100 games while playing for the
southern franchise.
Highlanders’ Head Coach, Jamie Joseph, commented that King’s achievement is testament to his attitude and
professionalism; both on and off the field.
‘Chris has a very professional approach to his rugby. He trains hard, has great technique and gives his all for 80 minutes while on the park. He’s been a great leader both on and off the field, and these attributes have made him a player who has been selected week in and week out for our team’.
King has his second start for the season, and third appearance. Three changes have been made to the run-on XV that played the Hurricanes in Dunedin last Friday night.
In the forwards, Liam Coltman makes his first start for the Highlanders with both Andrew Hore and Brayden Mitchell on the injured list. Josh Bekhuis returns to lock and Jarrad Hoeata moves to blindside flanker and Joe Wheeler moves to the bench. In the backs, Ma’a Nonu returns to second five, while Phil Burleigh will provide impact from the reserves. Jason Rutledge returns to the Highlanders as injury cover for Hore and Mitchell. Frae Wilson also joins the Highlanders’ reserves for the first time.
Brad Thorn will captain the team.
Highlanders v Chiefs, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton – Friday 22 March, 7.35pm (NZ Time).
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Liam Coltman
3. Chris King
4. Brad Thorn (Captain)
5. Josh Bekhuis
6. Jarrad Hoeata
7. John Hardie
8. Elliot Dixon
9. Aaron Smith
10. Colin Slade
11. Hosea Gear (Vice-captain)
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Jason Emery
14. Kade Poki
15. Ben Smith
Reserves
16. Jason Rutledge
17. Bronson Murray
18. Joe Wheeler
19. Tim Boys
20. Frae Wilson
21. Lima Sopoaga
22. Phil Burleigh
Highlanders Development Draw With Fiji Warriors
It was a tight arm-wrestle in the first 40 minutes between the Highlanders Development team and the Fiji Warriors at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin tonight. Lima Sopoaga slotted a penalty to get the scoring started in the second minute of the match and from there both teams traded tries firstly to Fijian openside flanker, Apisai Domolailai, and then Highlanders winger, Jayden Spence. Highlanders first five eight Lima Sopoaga added three penalties to close out the first half and have the home side ahead 17-7.
Fiji struck back in the opening stages of the second spell with two quick tries to tie the scores 20-all with 25 minutes to play. The Highlanders were equal to the challenge with Lima Sopoaga slotting two penalties to stay in touch with the visitors and set up a thrilling last 20 minutes. Fijian second five, Nemani Nadolo, picked up his second try and fullback Aisea Natogo crossed to give the visitors a handy 11 point lead with only 12 minutes on the stadium clock. Highlanders’ captain, Charlie O’Connell crashed over with less than 10 minutes remaining, bringing the home crowd to their feet. Sopoaga added the conversion to make it a 4 point ball game with 8 minutes remaining. A penalty in the closing minutes to Fiji gave the visitors a chance of victory, however Lima Sopoaga crashed over and then converted his own try to give the Highlanders a drawn result with the Warriors of Fiji.
Match summary:
Highlanders 37 (Jayden Spence try, Charlie O’Connell 1 try, Lima Sopoaga 1 try, 6 penalties, 2 con) drew with the Fiji Warriors 37 (Nemani Nadolo 2 tries, Aisea Natoga 1 try, Apisai Domolailai 1 try, Ratunaisa Vaturanka 4 con 3 pen)
HT: 17-7 (Highlanders)
FT: 37-37
Crowd: 700
Referee: Kane McBride
Highlanders Development Team Named
The Highlanders Development team has been named to play the Fiji Warriors at Frosyth Barr Stadium tommorrow night (5.30pm) in the Pacific Rugby Cup. The team will be captained by Charie O'Connell from the Taieri Eels.
Highlanders Development Team
1.TUKI RAIMONA
2.TALE TAUPATI
3.NIC BARRETT
4. CHARLIE O’CONNELL ( C )
5. TOM FRANKLIN
6. GARETH EVANS
7. WILLIS SCOTT
8. PAUL GRANT
9. FRAE WILSON
10. LIMA SOPOAGA
11. JESSE TOTO
12. CARDIFF VAEGA
13. JAYDEN SPENCE
14. KIERAN MOFFAT
15. TRENT RENATA
16. WILL HURST
17. ASTON TALAIA
18. MICHAEL PETERSON
19. BLAIR TWEED
20. SCOTT EADE
21. PETER BREEN
22. NEIL BREW
23. SOLOMON T-POLE
IRB Pacific Rugby Cup 2013, New Zealand tournament match schedule:
Monday 18 March
Highlanders Development v Fiji Warriors, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 5.30pm
Blues Development v Samoa A, Waitemata RFC, Waitemata, 6.30pm
Hurricanes Development vTonga A, Hutt Rec, Petone, 6.00pm
Saturday 23 March
Blues Development v Fiji Warriors, Waitemata RFC, Waitemata, 2.30pm
Crusaders Development v Samoa A, Christchurch Park, Christchurch, 2.00pm
Chiefs Development v Tonga A, Rugby Park, Te Kuiti 2.45pm
Thursday 28 March
Blues Development v Junior Japan, Bell Park, Pakuranga RFC, Pakuranga, 6.30pm
Hurricanes Development v Fiji Warriors, Spriggens Park, Wanganui , 4.00pm
Chiefs Development v Samoa A, Albert Park, Te Awamutu, 5.15pm
Crusaders Development v Tonga A, Linwood RFC, Christchurch, 5.00pm
Tuesday 2 April
Highlanders Development v Junior Japan, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 4.30pm
Sunday 7 April
Hurricanes Development v Junior Japan, Community Trust Domain, Levin, 2.00pm
Highlanders Lose To Hurricanes
The Highlanders lost to the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight. Crowd 14,339.
Final Score Highlanders 19 (13) Hurricanes 23 (12)
Scorers
Highlanders
Tries - H Gear
Pen - C Slade 3
Con - C Slade
Hurricanes
Tries - C Smith, B Franks, TJ Perenara
Pen - B Barrett 2
Con - B. Barrett
Match Officials
Referee: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
Assistant Ref 1:Mike Fraser (New Zealand),
Assistant Ref 2:Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO : Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Teams
Highlanders
1. Tony Woodcock ,2. Andrew Hore (Captain),3. Chris King ,4. Brad Thorn,5. Jarrad Hoeata ,6. Joe Wheeler,7. John Hardie,8. Elliot Dixon ,9. Aaron Smith,,10. Colin Slade ,11. Hosea Gear (Vice-captain),12. Phil Burleigh ,13. Jason Emery ,14. Kade Poki ,15. Ben Smith
Replacements : 16. Brayden Mitchell ,17. Ma’afu Fia ,18. Jake Paringatai ,19. TJ Ioane ,20. Fumiaki Tanaka,21. Lima Sopoaga ,22. Buxton Popoalii
Hurricanes
1. Ben Franks,2.Ash Dixon,3. Ben May,4. Jeremy Thrush,5. Jason Eaton,6. Brad Shields,7. Karl Lowe,8. Victor Vito,9. TJ Perenara,10. Beauden Barrett,11. Julian Savea,12. Tim Bateman,13. Conrad Smith (c),14. Alapati Leiua,15. James Marshall
Replacements :16.Motu Matu'u,17. Reggie Goodes / Jeffery Toomaga-Allen,18. James Broadhurst,19. Faifili Levave,20. Chris Smylie,21. Tusi Pisi,22. Andre Taylor
